7 popular children’s classics to spark the love for reading

Children should be encouraged to read when they're young. It is a great activity that exercises the brain and strengthens brain connections. Furthermore, it also improves the child's vocabulary and language skills. Here are some classics that your child would definitely enjoy.

1. Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak: A 1963 children's picture book, it has sold over 19 million copies worldwide. An adventurous book, it transports its readers to their wilder side while in the safety of their reality. There is also a 2009 movie adaption of the same.

Recommended reading age: 3-6 years.

2. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle: Written by the very famous writer and illustrator Eric Carle, this book has won numerous awards and accolades. It is a brilliant book that manages to include colors, healthy eating, days of the week and much more. Originally about a Willie Worm, the book main character was later changed to a caterpillar. In Carle's own words, "It's a book of hope for any child who feels small and helpless and wonders if they'll ever grow up". Ideal for the future butterflies of the world.

Recommended reading age: 3 -5 years.

3. The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss: Dr. Seuss produced this classic using a list of 348 words that every 6 ear old should know. Centered on an anthropomorphic cat in a red and white striped hat and bowtie, the book is full of colorful illustrations of the Cat's exuberant spirit and the rapid-fire rhyming text. The plot, the wordage and the illustrations are all timeless and incomparable.

Recommended reading age: 3 -6 years.

4. Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown: This quintessential bedtime story can be read over a hundred times without getting bored. Published in 1947, for some reason it wasn't a hit in its day but has become a favorite for generations later. Its rhythm and rhymes can soothe your little ones to sleep. Kids can put away the busy world and be ready to drift off to a world of calm and serenity. Recommended reading age: 6 months - 3 years.

5. The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter: Everyone wants to explore forbidden things, and Peter Rabbit is no different. The tales of Peter and his escapades has entertained children for over 100 years and continues to do so. As the first picture-book author-illustrator to draw realistic animals in human clothing, Potter has inspired many more artists ever since. It has been translated into 36 languages and sold over 45 million copies worldwide.

Recommended reading age: 3 - 6 years.

6. The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats: This simple book doesn't have any hidden message or latent tone. Its purpose is to inspire young minds into using their imagination to explore the vast beautiful world of ours. Keats uses right colors and dynamic language to complement each other into creating a story that is calming and exciting at the same time. He uses just enough words and those that aren't very hard for a young reader to comprehend. His writing is vivid, often rhyming or repeating.

Recommended reading age: 3 - 7 years.

7. Lost and found by Oliver Jeffers: A story journey, purpose and most importantly, friendship. It follows a young boy who befriends a lost penguin and helps him get back home. The vibrant watercolor illustrations and beautifully laced words are very expressive and help in bringing the story to life. Imparting the lesson that something thought lost is often something found, Jeffers delicately wraps varied feelings and emotions into one lovely must read book.

Recommended reading age: 3 - 7 years.

Even though the recommended age starts at 3 years, kids are never too young to be read to. Pick up a book and read even if you have a newborn!

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